Flashlight



May 29, 9 J. L.. HENNING 2,748,258

FLASHLIGHT Filed April 6, 1955 v 2 Sheets-Sheet l 20 INVENTOR.

JAMES L, HENN/NG ATTORNEYS y 29, 95 J. L. HENNING 2,748,258

FLASHLIGHT Filed April 6, 1 55 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/GS \ IN V EN TOR.

JAMES L HENN/NG United States Patent FLASHLIGHT James L. Henning, Plano, Ill., assignor to Plano Molding Company, Plano, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application April 6, 1955, Serial No. 499,670

3 Claims. (Cl. 240-10.65)

The present invention relates to flashlights and particularly to an improved structure including a current carrying hinge for adjusting the position of the light bulb and reflector therefor with respect to the remaining portions of the flashlight, and an improved structure for attaching the flashlight to a support surface.

The flashlight of the present invention is of the type wherein the batteries serving as a source of electrical power are mounted within the flashlight body. Hingedly mounted on the body is a cover which carries the light bulb. in this type of flashlight, it is desirable that the angular relationship between the cover carrying the light bulb and the body of the flashlight be adjustable and furthermore that simple and sure electrical connection be made between the batteries in the body and the light bulb on the cover. It further is desirable to mount the entire flashlight including the body and cover on a support surface of the type which has no convenient projections that can receive handles and the like.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved flashlight of the type having a body carrying the batteries and a cover hingedly attached thereto and carrying the light bulb.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved flashlight of the type set forth in which the current carrying members between the battery and the light bulb form part of a friction hinge between the flashlight body and the flashlight cover.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a flashlight of the type set forth a hinge which resiliently mounts and detachably holds the light bulb reflector and the lens therefor on the swingable cover and which connects both sides of the battery circuit to the light bulb.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved battery receiving and holding terminal strips which also are useful to secure the cover hinge pins in position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved magnetic means for securing the entire flashlight on a suitable support surface.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals have been utilized to designate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a flashlight made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the supporting handle and the hinged cover being shown in various positions by dotted line;

Figure 2 is a front elevational of the flashlight showing the handle in the upper supporting position;

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the flashlight showing the handle in the stored position;

Figure 4 is a view in horizontal section through the flashlight as viewed in Figure 3 substantially as seen in Patented May 29, 1956 the direction of the arrows along the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view in vertical section through the flashlight substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a view in vertical transverse section sub stantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a view in horizontal section substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 7--7 of Figure l, the hinged cover being shown in the lowered position;

Figure 8 is a partial enlarged view through a portion of the hinge structure substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 88 of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a partial enlarged view through another portion of the hinge structure substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 99 of Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the casing for the flashlight comprises three sections, a main body section 10, a removable back 12, and a hinged cover 14. All three members 10, 12 and 14 are preferably formed of molded plastic and are decoratively shaped and colored. As may be best seen in Figure 2, the flashlight is generally rectangular in shape with the corners slightly rounded in front elevational view. As viewed from the side as in Figure 1, the general shape of the flashlight is also rectangular.

The main body section 10 includes a frontal wall 16 provided with an aperture closed by cover 14. Formed integral with frontal wall 16 is a pair of rearwardly extending sides 18 and 20 (see Figure 4). Extending rearwardly from frontal wall 16 is a top 22 and a bottom 24 which adjoin with side walls 18 and 20 at the corners.

The removable back 12 is generally rectangular in shape with the corners rounded to conform to main body section 10. Extending forwardly and integral with back 14 is a flange 26 which extends completely around the periphery of back 12 and substantially perpendicular thereto. The rear edges of the main body section 10 including the rear edges of side Walls 1820, top 22 and bottom 24 are rabbetted to provide a flange 28 extending completely around the circumference thereof. Flange 28 extends within flange 26 to form a joint with the removable back 12.

Means is provided to secure back 14 to body section 10 in the form of the handle 30. Handle 30 is substantially U-shaped and on the free ends thereof has inturned ends 32 which are arranged parallel to each other and extending inwardly thereof toward each other. Each end 32 extends through aligned apertures in flanges 26 and 28 and also into aligned apertures in a pair of ears 34 (see Figures 4 and 5) formed integral with back 12 and extending forwardly and parallel to flange 26. Flange 26 and ear 34 in eflect clamp flange 28 on the main body portion 10 therebetween and ends 32 of handle 30 hold back 12 assembled on the main body section 10.

A pair of batteries 36 and 38 is provided to supply power for operation of the flashlight bulb. Each battery 36-38 is mounted in a cradle within the flashlight casing. More specifically, a pair of inwardly directed projections 40 and 42 are formed integral with side walls 18 and 29, respectively, and have the inner faces curved to form side rests for the flashlight batteries 36 and 38, respectively. A part-circular plastic sleeve 44 is suitably secured as by cement to the front wall 16 and in cooperation with projection 40 forms a cradle and receptacle 44 and 46 at the upper ends thereof, is a plastic bar 48 (see Figures 5 and 6).

Cover 14 includes a generally rectangular portion 50 which fits within and closes a rectangular opening in the body of section 19. Extending outwardly from portion 5.0 is a pair of sides 52 and 54 which overlie the edges of front wall 16 along the rectangular opening therein. Portion 50 has a circular recess 56 formed therein (see Figure 4) and concentric with recess 56 is a circular aperture 58 which in conjunction therewith forms a shoulder 60. As may be best seen in Figures 4 and 6, a flashlight lens 62 formed of glass or clear plastic fits within the circular opening 56 and rests against shouider 60. Abutting the rear surface of lens 62 is a metallic conical reflector 64 which carries a light bulb 66. The outer electrical contact of bulb 66 is in the form of a metallic flange 63 and makes electrical contact with reflector 64. and also forms a mount for bulb 66 on reflector 64. The second or central electrical contact 76 for bulb 66 extends rearwardly therefrom in the usual manner. Lens 62, reflector 64 and bulb 66 are all held in operative position upon the swingable cover 14 by a spring 72 (see Figures 1 and 6) which will be described in detail hereinafter.

Formed integral on the lower edge of portion 50 is a rearwardly extending flange 74, the construction of which can be best seen in Figure 9. A pair of hinge pins 76 and 78 serve to mount cover 14 upon the body 10. Pins 76 and '78 more specifically, are circular in cross section and are suitably attached in a resilient fashion to cover 14. As may be best seen in Figure 9, pin 78 is received and carried by the angle formed between portion 50 and flange 74. Means is provided resiliently to maintain hinge pin 78 against the intersection between portion 50 and flange '74 in the form of a spring member 80 preferably formed of spring brass or some similar good spring material which also has good electrical conductivity. A screw 32 firmly secures the central portion of spring member 80 to cover portion 50. One end of spring member 80 is bent into part-circular portion 84 whereby partially to wrap around and resiliently engage pin 78. The end 86 of part-circular portion 84 rests against flange 74. The other end 88 of spring member 80 bears against an adjacent metallic portion of reflector 64 whereby to make electrical contact with metallic reflector 64. Since flange 68 on light bulb 66 is in electrical contact with reflector 64, this also forms an electrical contact with light bulb 66.

The other end of binge pin 78 is retained in the corner formed by the intersection of front wall 16 and bottom 24 as may be best seen in Figure 8. More specifically, a resilient electrical conducting spring member 90 holds one end of hinge pin 78 in the intersection of front wall 16 and bottom 24. Spring member 90 more particularly has an attachment portion 92 which is secured by a pin 94 to front wall 16. Extending downwardly from attachment portion 92 is a bearing portion 95 which rests and resiliently bears against pin 78 and terminates just short of bottom 24. Extending upwardly from the lower end of bearing portion 94 is a battery contact portion 96 which bears against the central contact 98 on battery 38 making electrical contact therewith. A flange 100 is bent downwardly from contact portion 96.

Hinge pin 76 is resiliently maintained in operative position upon cover 14 by the spring 72 which also serves to hold light bulb 66, reflector 64 and lens 62 thereon. More specifically, the spring 72 includes a contact portion 102 which forms an electrical contact with the central connection 70 on light bulb 66. Formed integral and extending at an angle with contact portion 102 is an attachment portion 184 which is secured by screw 166 to portion 50. A part-circular portion 108 formed integral with attachment portion 104 curves around and resiliently embraces one end of hinge pin 76 and holds it at the intersection of portion 50 and flange 74.

The other end of hinge pin 76 is resiliently secured to the body at the intersection of front wall 16 and .4 bottom 24 by a spring member 110 similar in construction and operation to spring member 96 described above. One end of spring member 110 is secured by a fastener 112 (see Figure 7) to front wall 16 and a portion of spring member 110 extends downwardly resiliently to grip hinge pin 76. A contact portion 114 extends upwardly and is bent downwardly as at 116 to form an electrical connection with the casing of battery 36.

Cover 14 is held in the closed position as shown in solid lines in Figure 1 by a latch projection 13.8 which is formed integral with cover 14. Latch 118 extends through an aperture in a flange 120 which depends downwardly from top 22. A finger engaging projection 122 extends upwardly from cover 14 and curves rearwardly as shown in Figure 6. The user of the flashlight can swing cover 14 to any desired position by grasping the projection 122 and pulling it to the left as shown in Figure 6 whereby to disengage latch 113 from the aperture in flange 120. Cover 14 and the attached parts including reflector 64 and light bulb 66 will be held in any position in which they are placed by the friction spring hinge including hinge pins 76 and 78 described above.

The electrical circuit through the batteries is completed by a slidable contact strip 124 made of suitable electrical conducting material. The left hand end of strip 124 as viewed in Figure 5 is bent into a V-shapcd contact portion 126 which is adapted always to be in contact with the metal outer conductor of battery 38. the right hand end of strip 124 is provided with a second V-shaped contact 128 which is adapted to be in contact with the center conductor 130 of battery 36 when it is desired to energize light bulb 66. A switch button 132 is suitably connected to strip 124 whereby to provide means for moving strip 124 from the position shown in Figure 5 to the left whereby to disengage contact portion 123 from conductor 139 of flashlight battery 36. Button 132 moves and is restrained by a slot 134 in top 22 which also forms a guide for button 132.

When the parts are in the position shown in Figure 5, a circuit is completed from batteries 36 and 38 to energize light bulb 66. This circuit more particularly includes a contact from the center conductor 98 of flashlight battery 38 to the spring member 96 which in turn conducts the electrical current to hinge pin 78. Hinge pin 78 forms a conductor to spring member 80 which in turn contacts the metallic reflector 64. Reflector 64 makes contact with flange 68 which serves as a connector for one end of the filament in light bulb 66. The other end of the filament in light bulb 66 is connected to the center contact 79 which in turn is in electrical connection with one end of spring 72. The other end of spring 72 is in resilient electrical contact with hinge pin 76. Pin 76 is in electrical connection with spring member 110 which engages the outer terminal of battery 36. The central terminal 130 of battery 36 is connected to contact portion 123 of strip 124 which serves as a conductor to connect with contact portion 126 which is in contact with the outer conductor of battery 33. It will be seen that this completes the electrical circuit whereby batteries 36-38 and light bulb 66 are placed in series with each other.

The hinge connection including hinge pin 76 and hinge pin 78 form a part of this electrical circuit as does spring 72. In addition to serving as electrical conductors, the various hinge members form a resilient connection between cover 14 and the remaining portion of the flashlight casing whereby cover 14 and light bulb 66 can be positioned at any desired position relative to the remaining portion of the flashlight casing. Spring 72 also serves to hold flashlight lens 62, reflector 64 and light bulb 66 in operative position upon cover 14.

Several methods are provided for supporting the flashlight of the present invention and particularly the light bulb 66 in any desired operative position. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the handle 30 is provided with an inverted V-shaped part 136 which may be used to suspend the flashlight from a support such an arm 138 in Figure 1. Handle 30 also can be used to support the flashlight in a tilted position as shown by dotted lines in Figure 1. In case the handle 30 is not needed to support the flashlight, it can readily be stored in a groove 140 formed in the back 12 adjacent the lower end thereof. More particularly, handle 30 snaps over the corner of back 12 formed by groove 140 and into groove 140 for storage purposes.

Another method of mounting the flashlight of the present invention is by use of a permanent magnet designated by the numeral 142 in the drawing. Magnet 142 is retained by a metal band 144 which is U-shaped and has a pair of outwardly extending flanges 146 and 148 lying along the rear surface of the removable flashlight back 12. A recess in back 12 receives band 144 and the permanent magnet 142 so that the outer surface of magnet 142 and the flanges 146-148 lie substantially flush with the rear surface of back 12. Magnet 142 can serve to mount the flashlight upon any magnetic surface.

It will be seen that there has been provided an improved flashlight structure in which the cover carrying the flashlight bulb, reflector and lens is adjustable in position relative to the flashlight casing. The adjusted position of the cover with respect to the remaining portion of the casing is aflected by a resilient friction hinge including spring strips which also form part of the electrical current carrying circuit.

A portion of the resilient friction hinge also resiliently mounts and detachably holds the light bulb, reflector and lens on the swinging cover and connects both sides of the battery circuit to the light bulb. The members which connect the batteries to each other and to the light bulb also retain the batteries in operative position as well as secure the cover hinge pins in operative position.

An improved means for mounting the flashlight on magnetic surfaces has been provided in that the magnet on the back of the flashlight is substantially flush with the outer surface of the flashlight casing carrying the magnet. This structure more securely holds the flashlight to the supporting surface.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration, various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A flashlight comprising a casing for holding a flashlight battery, a cover for said casing, a flashlight bulb and reflector therefor resiliently and detachably mounted on said cover, a first resilient friction hinge interconnect ing said cover and said casing and including means holding said reflector in operative position and forming an electrical connection between said reflector and one terminal of a flashlight battery mounted within said casing, and a second resilient friction hinge interconnecting said cover and said casing, said second resilient friction hinge including means holding said flashlight bulb in operative position upon said reflector and providing an electrical connection between said flashlight bulb and the other terminal of the flashlight battery, said'friction hinges holding said cover at any desired position with respect to said casing and providing means to mount the flashlight battery within said casing.

2. A flashlight comprising a casing for holding a pair of flashlight batteries, a cover for said casing, a reflector resiliently and detachably mounted upon said cover, a flashlight bulb having two electrical connections mounted upon said reflector with one of the said connections being in electrical contact with said reflector, a pair of resilient friction hinges mounting said cover on said casing and holding said cover at any desired position with respect to said casing, one of said resilient friction hinges including means holding said reflector in position upon said cover and forming an electrical connection between said reflector and one terminal of one of said batteries, the other of said friction hinges including means resiliently holding said flashlight bulb in operative position upon said reflector and making electrical contact between the other contact of said flashlight bulb and a terminal of the other of said batteries, and switch means interconnecting the other terminals of said batteries.

3. A flashlight comprising a casing, a swingable cover for said casing, a first battery receiving and holding terminal mounted on said casing and engaging a terminal of a battery mounted thereon, a first hinge pin mounted on said casing by said first terminal engaging one end thereof, the other end of said first hinge pin extending over said cover, a first resilient member mounted on said cover and having one end thereof resiliently and clampingly holding the other end of said first hinge pin to said cover, a reflector mounted on said cover, the other end of said first resilient member clampingly holding said reflector in operative position on said cover, a light bulb mounted on said reflector, a second resilient member fixedly secured to said cover and having one end thereof holding said light bulb .in position on said reflector and making electrical contact therewith, a second hinge pin, the other end of said second resilient member frictionally engaging one end of said second hinge pin to hold said hinge pin against said cover, a second terminal mounted on said casing and having one end thereof receiving and holding a battery and making electrical contact therewith and the other end thereof frictionally engaging and urging the other end of said second hinge pin into engagement with said casing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,950,103 Embury Mar. 6, 1934 2,036,088 Darling Mar. 31, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS 640,019 Great Britain July 12, 1950 

